1. Delaying Salah Beyond Its Time
Allah says:
إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَـٰبًۭا مَّوْقُوتًۭا
“Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.” [Qur’an 4:103]
One of the most common mistakes is delaying Salah until the very end of its time or even missing it altogether. Some postpone it because of work, entertainment, or laziness, forgetting that Salah is the very first deed a believer will be asked about on the Day of Judgment.
To fix this, one must prioritize Salah above all worldly concerns, plan their day around prayer times, and remind themselves that no excuse is valid for deliberately missing prayer.
2. Rushing Through Salah
The Prophet ﷺ said to a man who prayed too fast:
ارْجِعْ فَصَلِّ فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّ
“Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.” [Bukhari 757 | Muslim 397]
Many people rush through Salah as if it were a task to finish quickly. This removes tranquility and humility, making the prayer lifeless.
True Salah requires calmness in every movement—standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting. One must pause long enough in each position so the body settles. By doing this, the prayer becomes an act of devotion rather than mere physical exercise.
3. Looking Around or Upwards
The Prophet ﷺ warned:
“People must refrain from lifting their eyes to the sky in prayer, or they will lose their eyesight.” [Muslim 429]
Some people look at their surroundings or even glance at the sky during prayer. This breaks concentration and disrespects the humility required. The Sunnah is to keep the eyes focused on the place of prostration. This simple act reminds the believer of submission and keeps the mind attentive.
4. Incomplete Movements
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Then bow until you are at ease in rukūʿ, then rise until you are standing straight…” [Bukhari 757]
Many perform rukūʿ and sujūd half-heartedly, not straightening their back properly or rising fully between movements. This neglect invalidates the prayer.
Correcting it requires learning the Prophet’s ﷺ way of prayer and ensuring every movement is complete. Salah must be performed with dignity, giving each position its due.
5. Praying While Distracted by Hunger or Urge
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“No prayer should be performed when food is present or when one needs to relieve himself.” [Muslim 560]
Some pray while their mind is occupied with food waiting on the table or the need to use the restroom. This steals focus from Salah. Islam teaches balance—fulfill these needs first, then pray with a clear mind, so the heart is fully devoted to Allah.
6. Excessive Fidgeting
Constantly moving, playing with clothes, or checking the phone destroys concentration. Salah is a sacred meeting with Allah, so it should be done with composure.
Remaining still, except for necessary movements, helps the heart achieve serenity.
7. Incorrect Placement of Hands
It is reported that the Prophet ﷺ placed his right hand over his left on his chest during standing. [Abi Dawud 759 | Sahih]
Placing hands incorrectly, whether hanging them loosely or crossing wrongly, goes against the Sunnah. Correct hand placement helps maintain humility and focus.
If a Pillar Is Missed
Missing the Opening Takbīr (Takbīrat al-Iḥrām)
This is the very first pillar. If missed, the entire prayer has not started at all.
Solution: Repeat the prayer from the beginning.
Missing the Recitation of al-Fātiḥah
Al-Fātiḥah is a pillar in every rakʿah. If forgotten in one rakʿah, that rakʿah is invalid.Solution: Add another rakʿah at the end to replace it, then do sujūd as-sahw.
Missing Rukūʿ (Bowing)
Case A – Remembered before starting sujūd: go back, perform rukūʿ, then continue normally. Do sujūd as-sahw.
Case B – Remembered after starting sujūd but before standing for the next rakʿah: cancel the sujūd, go back to rukūʿ, then continue. Do sujūd as-sahw.
Case C – Remembered after starting the next rakʿah: the rakʿah where rukūʿ was missed is invalid. Continue the prayer, but add one rakʿah at the end to make up. Do sujūd as-sahw.
Missing Sujūd (Prostration)
Case A – Missed one sujūd of a rakʿah, remembered before rising fully to the next standing: go back, perform the sujūd, then continue. Do sujūd as-sahw.
Case B – Remembered after starting the next rakʿah: the previous rakʿah is incomplete. The current rakʿah takes its place, and you add one rakʿah at the end to complete the number. Do sujūd as-sahw.
Case C – Missed both sujūd of a rakʿah: that rakʿah is completely invalid. It must be replaced by adding another rakʿah at the end.
Missing Sitting Between the Two Sujūd
This is a pillar. If you forget and stand up directly, but remember before reaching rukūʿ of the next rakʿah: return, sit, then continue. If remembered after rukūʿ of the next rakʿah: that rakʿah is invalid. Continue, and add one rakʿah at the end. Do sujūd as-sahw.
Missing the Final Tashahhud and Sitting
This is a pillar. If you remember before salām: sit back down, recite it, then do sujūd as-sahw. If you already made salām: the prayer is invalid and must be repeated, unless the time gap is very short and you immediately return to sit and recite.
General Rule
If a pillar is missed and remembered before reaching its place in the next rakʿah, return and perform it, continue, then do sujūd as-sahw. If a pillar is missed and remembered only after starting the next rakʿah, the rakʿah is invalid, the current rakʿah takes its place, and an extra rakʿah is added at the end. If a pillar is missed and only remembered after salām, the entire prayer is invalid and must be repeated.
What Constitutes a Pillar (Rukn) of Ṣalāh
A pillar (rukn) is an essential act or statement of prayer. If it is omitted deliberately or forgetfully and not corrected, the prayer is invalid. Scholars list the pillars as follows:
- Standing (Qiyām) in obligatory prayer, if able.
- Opening Takbīr (Takbīrat al-Iḥrām): saying “Allāhu Akbar” to enter ṣalāh.
- Recitation of al-Fātiḥah in every rakʿah.
- Rukūʿ (Bowing) with calmness.
- Rising from Rukūʿ and standing straight.
- Sujūd (Prostration) upon the seven parts (forehead with nose, palms, knees, and toes).
- Rising from Sujūd and sitting between the two sujūd.
- Calmness and tranquility in every position.
- Final Tashahhud (at the end of prayer).
- Sitting for the Final Tashahhud.
- Tasleem (Salām) to end the prayer.
- Maintaining the correct order of these pillars.
